Trainers in Pokémon GO have their hands full this month with Darkrai Raids and costumed Pokémon. Yet, a more sinister plot is unraveling amidst the shadows of these festive events. Team Rocket has been taunting their presence in-game since last summer, but there is still no known method to locate these villains' leaders.
Professor Willow has recently hinted at a device for just that purpose. Data mining conducted within the last several weeks also suggests a battle against Giovanni may be in the works.
Professor Willow's Recent Research
Professor Willow has delved into more research, this time in hopes of creating a sort of locating device. He will likely send Trainers on a series of research tasks to finalize the project once his research nears completion. Team GO Rocket Grunts may begin appearing featured in events, or as enemies during upcoming Special Research storylines, but the possibilities are uncertain at this point.
Progress Update 1
While investing the Team Rocket matters plaguing Pokémon GO, Professor Willow discovered peculiar objects dropped by grunts upon defeat in battle. He refers to these objects as Mysterious Components, describing them as being "made of some metal alloy, and they’re cold to the touch." He goes on to explain, "The glass screens radiate a light-purple color...", but when he tapped one of the screens to see what it might do, nothing happened.
Professor Willow believes these may be the devices he suspected Team Rocket of using to overtake PokéStops. However, the Professor is also under the impression that these devices are too sophisticated to serve merely simple purposes. He continues on to suggest that he along with the Pokémon GO team leaders have been constructing a device capable of locating the Team GO Rocket hideout.
Progress Update 2
Professor Willow reveals in his second update a device he's working on called the Rocket Radar. Ufortunately, it has yet to serve its intended purpose. The grunts are easy enough to locate, what with them completely redecorating every PokéStop they overtake. But Professor Willow hopes to use the team's original technology against them, finding the whereabouts of their bosses.
The Rocket Radar may even locate Giovanni, whose presence has already been leaked by way of the game's new loading screen. The image of the loading screen depicts Giovanni atop the stairs at the Viridian City Gym. Gyms, you say? Yes, this points to the idea of Team Rocket taking over not only PokéStops, but Gyms as well. This would likely introduce the concept of boss battles, with the Pokémon series' original 'Boss' antagonist, Giovanni paving the way.
Team Rocket Is Still In Hiding
Professor Willow has reached out with this research progress in such short intervals, suggesting his investigations are moving right along. Trainers may not have long to wait before the nefarious events begin to unfold, perhaps in conclusion to the current in-game Halloween event. Alternatively, Pokémon GO keeps a steady flow of new activity, so this could easily be foreshadowing a future event as well.